Doumbia, 28, joined Newcastle on loan from Italian side Roma last week, and has been brought in to score the goals to keep the Magpies in the Premier League.

The Ivorian striker has been prolific in Russia with CSKA Moscow, and Newcastle boss Steve McClaren will be hoping for the same once get started at St. James' Park, having been an unused substitute against Everton and West Bromwich Albion.

On Monday, the goalscorer played 45 minutes of Newcastle Under-21's 2-1 home defeat to Stoke City, in a bid to build up his fitness - and whilst it was a quiet showing from Doumbia, his performance left an impression on Under-21 boss Peter Beardsley.

Beardsley has told the club's official website that he feels Doumbia is similar to Newcastle cult hero Faustino Asprilla, who was a fan favourite on Tyneside during the 1990's, thanks to his pace and flair on the ball going forward.

"Having had him with us yesterday and today, the first thing I thought was 'Tino Asprilla'," said Beardsley. "When we kicked off, he stepped over the ball and it was funny for me because obviously I used to play with Tino. As stupid as it sounds, that was the highlight of the game for me, when he stepped over the ball! The crowd almost went one way and the ball went the other. Class," he added.

Colombian hero Asprilla hit 18 goals in 59 games for Newcastle, and is still revered at St. James' Park for his flamboyant, entertaining style - and if Doumbia can even come close to emulating Asprilla during his time in the North East, then manager McClaren will have made an outstanding signing.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.